Tillerson attends landmark Saudi-Iraq meeting

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson attends a landmark meeting between Saudi Arabia and Iraq aimed at upgrading strategic ties between the two countries and countering Iran’s regional influence.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and Saudi King Salman are holding the first meeting of the joint Saudi-Iraqi coordination council that aims to boost cooperation after years of tensions.

Abadi hailed the meeting as an “important step toward enhancing relations,” echoing similar comments from King Salman.

“We are facing in our region serious challenges in the form of extremism, terrorism as well as attempts to destabilise our countries,” the Saudi monarch says. “These attempts require our full attention.”

Iraq is seeking economic benefits from closer ties with Riyadh as both countries suffer from a protracted oil slump. Saudi Arabia is also seeking to counter Iranian influence in Iraq.

— AFP